For Australian hospitality businesses, the warmer months are when outdoor tables fill up, takeaway orders climb and every fridge, freezer and ice machine in the building is pushed to its limits. Getting ready before the hottest weeks arrive is one of the simplest ways to protect your stock, keep service fast and make the most of the season.
Nisbets Australia supplies commercial kitchen equipment and catering supplies to cafés, restaurants, bars, hotels and caterers across the country, with more than 11,000 products available online. This guide walks through the areas that matter most when the temperature rises, with practical tips drawn from Nisbets’ own Cater Hub advice.
Browse the Nisbets Australia Summer Shop.
Why Summer Preparation Matters
Hot weather affects almost every part of a hospitality business. Kitchens get hotter, fridge doors open more often, customers order more cold drinks and alfresco areas need to look inviting from lunch until late. A small problem, such as a fridge running a few degrees too warm or an ice machine that cannot keep up, quickly becomes a food safety risk or a queue at the bar.
Planning ahead lets you replace tired equipment before it fails, order consumables in bulk and train staff on the routines that keep things running smoothly during peak trade.
Keep Your Commercial Fridges Cold
Refrigeration works hardest in summer. Nisbets points out that commercial fridges and freezers not only battle hot kitchens, they also have to recover their temperature every time the door is opened. Its Cater Hub guide shares several simple habits that make a real difference:
Leave the thermostat alone. If a fridge is already set between 1 and 4°C, turning the dial lower is unlikely to help and can make the components work even harder.
Keep doors closed. Frequent opening is the biggest cause of temperature swings. On double-door models, open only the side you need, and replace worn door seals.
Clean the filters. Air-cooled units pull in grease, steam and dust. A quick brush or vacuum of the filter can prevent a costly breakdown.
Create a fridge plan. An overfilled fridge cannot circulate air properly. Organising the contents also helps staff find items faster, so the door is open for less time.
Move units away from heat. Avoid placing fridges and freezers next to fryers, ranges or grills.
Nisbets also recommends pre-chilling hot food in a blast chiller rather than putting full gastronorm pans straight into the fridge. And if your kitchen regularly goes above 32°C, it suggests looking at tropical-rated (Climate Class 5) refrigeration, which is designed for the hottest and most demanding environments.
Plan for More Ice, and Keep It Clean
Cold drinks drive summer sales, so a reliable supply of ice is essential. The Nisbets Summer Shop lists ice makers from $599.90 ex GST at the time of writing, alongside slush machines, juicers and bar and smoothie blenders for venues that want to add frozen and fresh drinks to the menu.
Volume is only half the story. Nisbets reminds operators that ice is food and should be handled with the same care. Its ice hygiene advice includes always using a clean scoop rather than a glass, never storing the scoop on top of the ice, keeping the machine lid closed, never returning unused ice to the bin, using and regularly changing a water filter, and scheduling a regular deep clean following the manufacturer’s instructions. Training every team member who handles ice is one of the most effective steps of all.
Shop ice makers and beverage appliances at Nisbets.
Refresh Your Glassware and Drinks Service
Summer is a good moment to check your glassware stock before breakages leave you short on a busy weekend. Nisbets offers beer glasses from $24.90 ex GST, hi-balls and tumblers from $10.90 ex GST and cocktail glasses from $29.90 ex GST. For pool decks, beer gardens and events where glass is not ideal, disposable glasses start from $6.90 ex GST.
If you are adding seasonal drinks such as frozen cocktails, smoothies or fresh juices, think about the equipment and the glass together. The right glass helps a signature drink stand out and makes it easier for staff to serve consistently.
Make the Most of Your Outdoor Space
More outdoor seating means more covers. Nisbets’ summer range includes the Bolero outdoor furniture collection, from bistro tables and stacking chairs to wicker armchairs and outdoor umbrellas. At the time of writing, the Bolero Ash Flip Top Square Bistro Table 600mm is listed at $149.90 ex GST and the Bolero Square Outdoor Umbrella 2.5m at $144.90 ex GST.
Insects are an unwelcome part of the warmer months, especially near kitchens and outdoor dining areas. Nisbets stocks Eazyzap bug zappers, including indoor and outdoor lantern models, to help keep flying insects away from food preparation and service areas.
Get Ready for More Takeaway Orders
Picnics, beach days and long evenings outdoors often mean more takeaway and delivery orders. Nisbets’ Fiesta range covers compostable and recyclable packaging, including kraft burger boxes, hinged containers, paperboard food cartons, birch wood cutlery and rPET cups. Buying in packs helps keep the cost per unit down, with some items starting from just a few cents each.
Why Order from Nisbets Australia
Nisbets has more than 35 years of experience serving the catering and hospitality industry and stocks well-known brands such as Apuro, Moffat, Polar and Victorinox. A few service features make it especially useful during a busy season:
Fast despatch: orders placed before 12pm (Sydney time), Monday to Friday, are despatched the same day from warehouses in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
Free metro delivery: free delivery applies to eligible orders over $150 ex GST in the Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane metro areas. Large, bulky, remote and Tasmanian deliveries may carry extra charges.
Click and Collect: in-stock items can be ready to collect from your chosen store in as little as two business hours. Wait for the SMS or email confirmation before heading in.
Peace of mind: products are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, and Nisbets offers a Price Match Promise.
Nisbets also has stores and trade counters in New South Wales, the ACT, Victoria and Queensland, where you can see products in person and get advice from staff. Signing up to Nisbets emails gives you 10% off your order, along with offers and new product news.
A Simple Summer Checklist
Before the hottest weeks arrive, check fridge and freezer temperatures and door seals, clean condenser filters, review your ice machine’s cleaning schedule and water filter, count your glassware, order takeaway packaging in bulk, and set up your outdoor area so it is ready from the first warm weekend. Small jobs done now can save you from equipment failures and stock shortages when trade is at its peak.
Whether you run a small café or a busy bar and restaurant, Nisbets Australia has the equipment and supplies to help you serve more customers this summer.
Get your venue summer-ready with Nisbets Australia today.
